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Point Loma Nazarene University Athletics CommunicationsSan Diego Community News Group

Jan 03, 2013 | 3061 views | 0 | 4 | |

George Fox University (GFU) outscored the Point Loma Nazarene University’s women’s basketball team by 18 in the second half en route to a 61-50 victory Dec. 19 the APU Classic.

The defeat was the third straight loss for PLNU, which dropped to 3-5 on the season (1-1 Pacific West Conference). The Bruins have now won seven straight contests since starting the year with consecutive losses.

Point Loma led 32-29 at the half thanks to eight first-half three-pointers and outshooting GFU 48 to 27 percent from the field. Carlotta Kloppenburg connected on four treys in the first half and finished the game with a team-high 14 points, which included 12 in the opening period. The first half featured eight lead changes and five ties but the Sea Lions were able to take the three-point lead into halftime thanks to a 6-1 run to end the period.

PLNU would come out and score the first basket of the second half to take its largest lead of the game. George Fox then responded with a 19-5 run to go on top by nine. The Sea Lions would answer right back by scoring the next seven points to get back within two, but this is as close as they would get as GFU was able to extend its lead to double-figures and end with the 11-point margin of victory.

Callie Rhoads poured in 12 points for her third straight game in double-figures for PLNU. She also had a team-best six rebounds. Andrea Campbell added five boards, five blocks and nine points. Hannah Munger led three Bruins in double-figures with a game-high 16 points.

GFU got the win despite shooting just 33 percent from the field. The Bruins capitalized on their plus-16 edge on the glass by outscoring the Sea Lions 12-3 on second chance points and 36-14 on points in the paint.

The PLNU women’s basketball team took a two-week competition hiatus over the holidays and was expected to renew action Jan. 2 at Fresno Pacific.